How to apply
1. Register as a jobseeker with the employment authority no later than your day of unemployment.
Based on your registration, the employment authority will issue a labour policy statement to the Unemployment Fund. To receive earnings-related allowance, your job search must remain active. This requirement applies to all allowance recipients, whether you are laid off, unemployed, or working part-time. More detailed instructions on how to start your job search are available on the employment authority's website.
2. Submit your earnings-related allowance application and the required attachments to the Fund two weeks after your unemployment begins.
You can complete and send your application through our eServices. Instructions for filling in the online application are available here.
If you do not have all the required attachments when you fill in your application, you can send them later. Attachments can also be submitted through the eServices.
If you send attachments in paper form, copies are sufficient - originals are not required. If anything is missing, we will request the necessary documents when processing your application.
Note that you cannot apply for earnings-related allowance in advance – applications are always submitted retroactively. Applications must be sent no later than within three months of the first day being applied for.
You can send a renewal application to the Fund even if your first application has not yet been processed.
If you prefer to send your application by mail or as an attachment, printable application are available here.
Send paper applications and attachments to:
PAM Unemployment Fund
P.O. Box 93
00531 HELSINKI
For your first application, please include a copy of your employment contract and, if applicable, a copy of your lay-off notice or the notice of termination of your employment.
If you have income from business activity, agriculture, forestry or reindeer husbandry, attach a copy of your most recent confirmed tax decision.
If your business activity has only recently started and your tax decision does not cover at least six months of activity, provide a monthly breakdown of income and expenses from the start of your activity instead.
You can request a revised tax card for benefits from the Tax Administration. Please note that a tax rate calculated for wage income is always a minimum of 25 % for earnings-related allowance.
The Unemployment Fund generally receives wage information from the Incomes Register. If we do not get all the required details, we will request the missing information from you.
Usually, no attachments are required for a renewal application. However, always inform the Unemployment Fund if there are any changes in your situation.
If you receive wage income during the application period, we get the information from the Incomes Register. If your wages include sick pay or holiday pay, it is recommended to provide your pay slip.
If you start a job, always send the Fund a copy of your employment contract. If any additional information is needed, we will request it when processing your application.
Check the necessary steps from our Checklist for Earnings-related Allowance